Iran manufactured a new tank named Karrar and plans to upgrade its Emad missile 31002163

Posted On
Wednesday, 10 February 2016 10:19

Defence & Security News - Iran

Iran manufactured a new tank named Karrar and plans to upgrade its Emad missile

Iran has manufactured a new tank dubbed 'Karrar' which is as deadly as the Russian T-90, Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said, adding that the country also plans to test a new generation of Emad precision-guided ballistic missile.

Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan

"The defense industry designed and built the new battle tank from scratch. If not better, it's still as deadly as the Russian T-90," Dehqan said in an interview with the state-run TV on Tuesday night. He also said "Karrar" stands among the most modern battle tanks in the world.

His remarks came after Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said Iran was no longer interested in buying T-90 battle tanks from Russia, and plans to supply its needs through domestic production.

"We were once interested in buying the Russian tanks. But since we can manufacture similar models within the country and we plan to do so in the near future, the deal is now off," Pourdastan said last week.

Elsewhere, Dehqan referred to the long-rangeballistic Emad missile which was test-fired in October, and said, "The missile is being mass-produced but its precision-striking power will improve and its second version will be unveiled next year."

Emad long-range ballistic missile

"This missile (Emad) which has been fully designed and made by Iranian Defense Ministry's scientists and experts is the country' first long-range missile with navigation and strike controlling capability; it is capable of hitting and destroying the targets with high-precision," General Dehqan told reporters after the successful test of Emad missile.

The Iranian Defense Minister reiterated that the manufacture and successful testing of Emad missile is a technological and operational jump in a strategic field, and said, "We don’t ask for anyone's permission for boosting our defense and missile power; we resolutely continue our defense programs, specially in the missile field, and Emad missile is a conspicuous example."

The Islamic Republic would also start taking delivery of an advanced Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system in the next two months, Hossein Dehghan added - a system that was blocked before a landmark nuclear deal with world powers.